cgm sermon 18/1/08

Changes for a better you.

No change = no improvement.
Changes first start on the mind.

Romans 12:2(NIV)
Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world,but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is - his good, pleasing and perfect will.

We need to transform our mindset and thinking

We can improve in the areas of :
character development
spiritual growth
talent development
excel in studies (excellence)

We cant experience something new, if we don't do something new.

Hebrews 6:3(NIV)
And God permitting,we will do so.

Christian should have/need to have (basic) :

1.faithfully attend church every week.
;make church service top priority

2.attend cell group meeting

3.pray regularly
;make prayer a part of our lifestyle.

Matt7:7-8(NIV)

Matt 7:7
Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find;knock and the door will be opened to you

Matt7:8
For everyone who asks receives;he who seeks finds;and to him who knocks,the door will be opended.

4.consistently reading the bible

5.attend prayer meeting whenever there is one.

6.joining a minstry

7.learn to move in the gifts of the holy spirit.

8.giving bible study lesson to younger member.

9. conduct visitation
;spend time fellowshiping
;make time for one another.

Forgiveness.

Mother Teresa:
Want to learn to love;
learn to forgive.

Col 3:13(NIV)
bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another.Forgive as the Lord forgave u.

Forgiveness
- is not based on someone never do it again.
- doesnt change the past,but enlarge the future,
- take initiative
- is given by grace
- is needed when there is deep hurt.
- should be treated important.

question T/F
Q1. A person should not be forgiven until ask.
T/F
Q2. When forgiven,it will minimized the pain.
T/F
Q3. Forgivness restore trust & relationship
T/F
Q4. Never forgive till forgiven
T/F
Q5. When u heard that someone is hurt, you need to forgive
T/F

the answer is : ALL OF THEM ARE FALSE !

1. Real forgiveness is unconditional.
2.Forgivness does not minimize the seriousness of the offense
- DO NOT CHEAPEN FORGIVENESS !

Pro 26:18(NIV)
Like a madman shooting firebrands or deadly arrows

Pro 26:19(NIV)
is a man who deceives hhis neighbour and says,"I was only joking!"

3.Forgiveness isn't resuming a relationship without change
-another person have to mend the relationship.

a. Repentance
b.Restitution(restore)
c.Rebuilding trust
- it takes time to rebuild trust

4.Forgiveness isn't forgetting what has happened

5.Forgiveness isn't my right when I wasn't the one hurt.

* We will never do something,if we never see the value in what we do

Why do we need to forgive other people when we are being hurt?

Value: knowing God has greater and higher value in our future.
Forgive: forget the past and embrace the future.

Life is 10% "what happened" and 90% how we react to it.

Everything is guided by the value.

Value
1. What's most important to you.
2.What you stand for.
3. And what you are willing to pay the price for.

Hebrews 12:16-17

More value in forgiving than in not forgiving.

We are given the opportunities to/for the right choices.

If we judge what we value by our circumstance,we will de-value what is important to give value to what is momentary.

Hebrews 12:14-15

First thing first !

1. get your life in order back with God.
2. spend times with love ones
3.spend time back in work and ministry.

A change begins,inside of us !.

How to forgive?
1. give up your right to get even
Romans 12:19

2. set boundaries

3. respond to evil with good.
Luke 6:27-28

-pray and bless that person.

4. repeating these steps as long as neccessary
-it isnt a one time event.

Matthew 18:21-22

Able to thank God that you remember!

Romans 8:28

Habakkuk 2:1

Godly visions motivates us further while wrong visions destroys us.
- A heart for the past destroys.

Joshua 6:2

Habakkuk is a man of commitment, effort, sacrifice and discipline.

- See & hear what the Lord has to show you and tell you.
- See your vision & hear your revelation.
- Step into the throne room ( the Holy of Holies ) to see God's plan for you.

how to enter the holy of holies ?
- through thanksgiving, praise and worship.

never get distracted from God.
NEVER let the Devil separate you from God.

* The spiritual realm is where God's presence is & where you get your vision.

#1: Every vision must be written down.
#2: Every vision must be clear & simple.
#3: Every vision must inspire.

Small man make up small thoughts.

Genensis 29:27
- God will enlarge your borders.

Exodus 24:24
- God will enlarge your capacity.

1 Chronicles 4:10

Isaiah 4:2

* Imagination is better than knowledge.

* Dare to believe for greater things.

Unsuccessful people only think if survival.
Average people think if maintenance.
Successful people think of progress.

* What you can think, God can do more.

Ephesians 3:20 (NKJV)
Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us,

Our imagination moves God.
'imagine' = Gk. 'noieo' = perceives the mind.

Abraham- wanted a son, blessed with descendants as many as the stars in the sky and the sand on the ground.

Noah- wanted to save his family. calling to save the world from the flood.

Moses- wanted to save one person. calling to deliver the entire nation out of Israel.

Paul- wanted to write letters. calling to write Scriptures.

Vision is the solution to your problems.

* Poor people doesnt have resource problem, they have vision problem.

* Never let your memories be greater than your vision.

3 keys to receiving your vision.
( the importance of a Godly vision. )
#1: Sanctify yourself.
- Sometimes you need to risk / sacrifice some relationships.
- Some things in your life is tying you down from God.
- Let go & let God.

#2: Evaluate your present situation.
- look from where you are not from the future.
be realistic.

do this !!
evaluate yourself on a scale from 1 - 10.
eg.: health, studies, family, friends,spiritual life.

#3: Take action steps towards your vision.
Genesis 13:4

North - forward steps to make,
South - set yourself free from,
East - new areas to explore,
West - what are you going to complete?

what is your vision for 2008?
- write down 3 visions and 3 action steps.

The Power of F O C U S

Luke 11:34

Your eye gives you vision.

Be focused in the things you do.

* Focused light has Tremendous Power ! *

- Your future depends on what you focus.

Success is not hocus-pocus, its FOCUS !

Luke 9:51-53

Phil 3:13-14
- Press towards the goal for the price of the call of God.

1 Cor 9:26
- Run straight to the goal with purpose.

Luke 14:28-31
- Little you, conquer big problems.

If you have faith, ADD to your faith.
( Faith is the substance hoped for, proof of the things unseen. )

Proverbs 16:9
- We should make plans for God to direct us.

If you fail to plan, you plan to fail.

be SMARTER !


#1: Specific.
- Ask and you shall receive, seek and you shall find, knock and the door shall be opened to you.
- If you do not know your destination, you wont know if you have arrived.

#2: Measurable.
- Measure your goals, measure your success.

#3: Action Plan.
- Write it down & follow it !

#4: Realistic.
- Face reality and be realistic. set goals within your ability.

#5: Time Conscious.
- Have a time frame for your goal.

#6: Expectation Management.
- Be flexible.

Proverbs 13:19.
- two wrong doesnt make one right.

#7: Revelation.
- A rhema word motivates you.

Ask yourself : Whom am I here for ? NOT what am I here for?

the opposite of focus is DISTRACTION.

John 3:22

#1: Dont get distracted by interim success.
John 3:22-27

#2: Dont get distracted by competition.
- Be better not bitter.
- Be wise.
John 21:17-19,20-21

#3: Dont be distracted by the pain of life .
Heb 11:12

SET YOUR GOALS TODAY !